Gets
to pose with zombies
Rep. Teresa Tanzi has been honored by the Department of
Health and its allies in the fight against smoking for her longtime efforts to
reduce smoking in Rhode Island.
The honor came at the department’s fourth annual “Kick
Butts Day” on May 31, during which teens from across Rhode Island march to the
State House dressed as zombies to represent the effects of tobacco on the body.
The event was sponsored by the Department of Health in
partnership with the American Heart Association, Tobacco Free Rhode Island, the
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and several community-based organizations.
Representative Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown,
Narragansett) is the sponsor of bills to:
- Raise Rhode Island’s smoking age from 18 to 21 (2017-H 5820);
- Require child-proof packaging on electronic cigarette liquids and ban their use at schools (2017-H 5876A);
- Add electronic cigarettes and similar devices to the state’s ban on smoking in indoor public places (2017-H 5821A).
The latter two bills have been approved by the House this session.
“Rhode Island has made a lot of headway in recent years
in combatting smoking, particularly among youth, which will go a long way
toward creating a more smoke-free future. But there is still much work to be
done before that goal is realized, and much of the work involves fighting
well-financed efforts to get kids hooked so they will be lifelong addicts. I’m
grateful to work alongside many dedicated partners in public health to create
policies that help reduce smoking in Rhode Island,” said Representative Tanzi.